About Emma

Emma Jeffs

Emma is a native Londoner; both parents were artists and educators. Her father a fine art photographer and printmaker and a mother who trained in fine art textiles. Growing up she was surrounded by art, artists, making, drawing, painting, imagination and endless private views. So she followed the family tradition and went to art school. She did a BA in Textile design for Fashion. Upon graduating she travelled, freelanced as textile designer for fashion, learnt to type and ended up working in advertising for a few years but the ink of print room lured her back and so she furthered her studies with an MA in Surface Design. On graduating from the MA she taught textile design and combined teaching with running her print studio.

Surface Material Design Studio

In 2000 she was awarded a setting up Grant from the Crafts Council of England. She set up a screen-printing studio in east London under the name of Surface Material Design. She sold her textile products and exhibited at galleries in the UK, Europe and the USA. In 2004 she was awarded a UK government NESTA two-year research fellowship. The grant enabled her to undertake in-depth research into print technologies onto a range or materials within industry. In 2007 she moved to southwest London and began to work directly with companies to create her designs, this in turn led her to work for other companies to create designs for their materials and products.

Emma licenses her designs and products to companies in Europe and the USA. The studio specialises in surface pattern and material products this attracts clients from interiors, retail, product and material manufacturers.

Products

Commuting in London on the top decks of buses she developed a loathing for grey ugly net curtains. She set about developing a solution to rid London of net curtains. She printed a lace pattern onto a frosted etched vinyl. Friends loved it so she decided to see what others thought. She launched her decorative window films in 2006. The range has grown and the film is now in the most stylish of windows all over the world and it has picked up a few awards on the way. Emma Jeffs Licensed items include designs for blinds, lampshades and raincoats.

Inspiration

Emma has a passion for materials and print. She is inspired by manufacturing, technology and handcrafted techniques. She produces work within her studio and in conjunction with some great UK companies. She endeavours to produce products that will be loved and used for many years.

Mentoring/Education

Emma is a visiting lecturer on undergraduate and postgraduate design and craft courses. With ten years of practice she is now in the position to pass on her experiences and try to support those starting up. From 2008 - March 2010 she was the co-ordinator and mentor for the Crafts Council of England on the Next Move scheme, here she supported the start up of six UK craft and design early stage makers setting up in business for a two-year period.